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This paper will share production engineering perspectives on the deployment of the sensor ball technology. The sensor ball is a new integrated production logging platform that was developed to measure primarily wellbore downhole pressure and temperature. The reduction in size of the innovative tool sensors has enabled packing of the tool in an attractive wireless manner. The sensor ball records wellbore data and stores collected data on electronic memory chips. The scope of this paper is to explain the working mechanism of the technology and outline the proper methodology for deployment by recapping the operational events of a successful sensor ball field trials on two water wells. The sensor ball is deployed and collected from the wellhead tree cap in a carefully designed sequence of operational steps to ensure no damage to the tool or tree valves can take place. The sensor ball has dissolvable weight element that allows for the tool to descend to the target measurement depth. The tool is made from material, with a specific density, that allows for buoyancy floating in water after the release of dissolvable weight. Conventional wireline gradient pressure and temperature surveys preceded the sensor ball runs during the trial phase. The objective of the wireline surveys is to provide a basis that qualifies the sensor ball data and quantifies its accuracy with respect to gauge measurements. The developed field trial test success criteria were: Successful mechanical deployment/retrieval of the sensor ball within programmed timeComplete data recovery from the sensor ball upon retrievalAccuracy of recovered data compared to wireline surveys below 5% average absolute error The comparison results of the sensor ball and wireline data at both water wells showed consistency and accuracy. The average absolute error was less than 3 % for pressure and temperature data. Further, the field trial has met all developed success criteria. The deployment of the sensor ball technology by oilfield operators will enable realization of several tangible benefits such as reducing acquisition time of downhole data compared to wireline and reducing manpower requirements for pressure and temperature surveys. The sensor ball enhancement to manpower requirement can allow for simultaneous data acquisition operations that were not possible with wireline surveys. Oilfield operators can avoid direct costs related to wireline units and associated equipment and its maintenance. Further, the typical mechanical risks associated with well intervention can be eliminated by deploying the sensor ball technology.
This paper will share production engineering perspectives on the deployment of the sensor ball technology. The sensor ball is a new integrated production logging platform that was developed to measure primarily wellbore downhole pressure and temperature. The reduction in size of the innovative tool sensors has enabled packing of the tool in an attractive wireless manner. The sensor ball records wellbore data and stores collected data on electronic memory chips. The scope of this paper is to explain the working mechanism of the technology and outline the proper methodology for deployment by recapping the operational events of a successful sensor ball field trials on two water wells. The sensor ball is deployed and collected from the wellhead tree cap in a carefully designed sequence of operational steps to ensure no damage to the tool or tree valves can take place. The sensor ball has dissolvable weight element that allows for the tool to descend to the target measurement depth. The tool is made from material, with a specific density, that allows for buoyancy floating in water after the release of dissolvable weight. Conventional wireline gradient pressure and temperature surveys preceded the sensor ball runs during the trial phase. The objective of the wireline surveys is to provide a basis that qualifies the sensor ball data and quantifies its accuracy with respect to gauge measurements. The developed field trial test success criteria were: Successful mechanical deployment/retrieval of the sensor ball within programmed timeComplete data recovery from the sensor ball upon retrievalAccuracy of recovered data compared to wireline surveys below 5% average absolute error The comparison results of the sensor ball and wireline data at both water wells showed consistency and accuracy. The average absolute error was less than 3 % for pressure and temperature data. Further, the field trial has met all developed success criteria. The deployment of the sensor ball technology by oilfield operators will enable realization of several tangible benefits such as reducing acquisition time of downhole data compared to wireline and reducing manpower requirements for pressure and temperature surveys. The sensor ball enhancement to manpower requirement can allow for simultaneous data acquisition operations that were not possible with wireline surveys. Oilfield operators can avoid direct costs related to wireline units and associated equipment and its maintenance. Further, the typical mechanical risks associated with well intervention can be eliminated by deploying the sensor ball technology.
Objective/Scope This paper describes the second phase of sensor ball to retrieve production parameters downhole an oil well. Data retrieved from the sensor ball was compared to the conventional methodology; i.e. slickline. The paper also explains the advantages of using the sensor ball compared to the utilization of heavy equipment and the interlinked logistics and manpower. Methods, Procedures, Process Pressure and temperature surveys are required to measure the changes in the reservoir pressure and provide an image of the well downhole conditions especially for tubing and casing integrities. Conventional methodology of carrying out a basic surveillance activity for pressure and temperature surveys is through slickline work. A new breakthrough technology that was developed is the sensor ball, that is being used as a vehicle traveling downhole of the well logging data, such as pressure, temperature, casing collar locators and others under development. The second generation of the sensor ball has been successfully trial tested in live wells by dropping the ball freefalling then retrieved back to the surface. Results, Observations, Conclusions Data were retrieved, then crossed check with slickline data ran in the same well. This technology will provide great cost saving, especially on expensive offshore resources, avoiding the need for the barge to carry out simple jobs that can be replaced by the sensor ball, Moreover, the technology will be utilized to eliminate the risk of slickline activities. In this paper, technology, methodology field trial data will be shared with the rest of the industry. Novel/Additive Information This industrial revolution IR 4.0 technology is of paramount importance to the oil and gas industry. The easiness of the conveyance method will result in efficient and timely well surveillance. Therefore, the water cut of the oil wells can be controllable along with other parameters such as gas oil ratio.
Bottomhole pressures of wells are commonly used to evaluate reservoir characteristics such as permittivity and permeability and connectivity between wells. To measure bottomhole pressure, a sensor needs to be conveyed either through an invasive method such as wireline, or it can be permanently installed downhole. These methods can be costly. In this paper, we are introducing a new conveyance method using an untethered well logging tool. We used an untethered well logging tool that can autonomously move in the vertical parts of liquid wells by changing its buoyancy. It takes a small dissolvable weight to descend in a well, and at a programmed depth the weight is released to make the tool buoyant. The recorded data can be retrieved after the tool returns to the surface. We expanded this tool’s capability so that it can land at the bottom of the well and stay for a programmed time frame. To do this, the dissolvable weight was coated to delay the dissolving time during the logging which also eliminated exothermic heating due to the dissolution process. For the demonstration a 900-ft deep test well with 4-in casing was used that has no connectivity with the formation. The tool was programmed to release its weight 6 hours after the start of the logging. Since the tool moves around 0.35 ft/s speed, this provided more than 5 hours of time frame for continuous recording of the pressure and temperature at the well bottom. The tool was collected from the well 6.5 hours after the deployment and the data was downloaded. As expected, the pressure stayed constant during the test. A very low-cost conveyance method was demonstrated for pressure sensor placement at the well bottom.
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